Donald Trump making his way back to downtown Washington, D.C. on July 15, 2025 after visiting Pittsburgh. His controversial visit ignited the firestorm. His remarks were piercing across the political spectrum, from his endorsement of former Florida AG Pam Bondi, to today’s dangers brewing within the MAGA movement.
At a press conference upon his return, Trump personally and vociferously defended Bondi. She has already been criticized for her ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In his statement, he lamented that his critics and opponents continue to obsess over Epstein. Let these cowards go forward and do the Democrats’ dirty work. Every time he made those comments—and this is the fundamental divide that’s become evident in Trump’s base. While some continue to be fixated on the Epstein story, others are working to shift the conversation.
Trump was hitting the Democratic Party, announcing, “The Radical Left Democrats have hit pay dirt, again! He thinks Democrats are making the most out of the controversies. As they do so, they hope to chip away at his impact and redirect focus onto bigger problems.
Beyond his scandals at home, Trump rocked headlines with his bombastic approach to international trade. On July 14, 2025, he delivered his final, fierce admonition. He even threatened to slap a 30% tariff on Russian imports if a peace agreement in Ukraine isn’t achieved soon. This decision has sent European Union leaders rushing to cut deals and ensuring they are on the best possible terms with their U.S.
Amid these international tensions, Trump’s advisor Kevin Hassett defended the tariffs by claiming they would not lead to inflation due to “patriotism” among American buyers. Hassett said that Trump has the right to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. He added there needs to be good reason behind that decision.
Similarly, Trump’s own administration seems to still be reeling from Epstein-prompted fallout. In response to overwhelming public pressure, the Department of Justice stated it would not be releasing any further Epstein files during the duration of Trump’s presidency. Further, the DOJ announced last week that an alleged “Epstein client list” does not exist. This decision comes three years after Epstein’s death by suicide in prison in 2019. Even in death, his legacy remains one of the most contentious figures in American politics.
The widely reported rebuke likely stems from a $2.5 billion renovation project that Powell oversaw, which Trump derided as a “boondoggle.” In response, the Federal Reserve chair has called for an inspector general review of the project. The former president’s administration’s scrutiny of federal projects dovetails with his larger campaign theme of criticism towards government spending and inefficiency.
Trump remains an immensely potent force in American politics. His dubious historical connections to Epstein, from their first social meetings in 1992, spark discussions that remain today. His influence goes beyond the traditional political sphere, as he weighs in with important commentary on multiple sectors, including cryptocurrency.